THE BIG FIVE QUESTIONS
Q How do I register to vote, can I do it now?
A: You should send in a new Federal Post Card Application as soon as possible. Generally, a new registration is required every election year.
Q: Do I have to register to vote?
A: Most states and territories require you to register to vote. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application to register and request an absentee ballot at the same time.
Q: Can I vote if I don’t have a current address in the USA?
A: Yes. Your voting residence is your address in the state in which you lived immediately prior to leaving the United States. This residence may remain valid even if you no longer own the property, intend to return, have other ties to the state, or if your previous address is no longer a recognized residential address (you will not receive voter registration mail at this address). Find out more on http://fvap.gov or write VoteParis@state.gov
Q: Can I vote at the embassy or consulate?
A: No. Embassies and consulates are not polling places. Same-day in-person voting is not available outside the United States. However, the embassy can help with voter registration materials and information, and can accept your completed ballot for delivery to the United States. (Please note that October 13 is the recommended deadline to submit your ballot via the Embassy.) Contact VoteParis@state.gov with your questions.
Q: I am afraid my ballot will not arrive in time to be counted, what should I do?
A: We refer you to the guidelines and deadlines for sending your voting materials to your state board of elections: https://www.fvap.gov/covid-19. Most states accept emailed registrations and many accept emailed official ballots. You may also be able to fax your materials. If your ballot has not arrived and you are concerned it will not arrive in time to return it to your state, you can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup ballot to vote for federal offices. If your official absentee ballot arrives after you send in the FWAB, then you can fill out and send in the official ballot as well. Your state will count only one. Contact VoteParis@state.gov with your questions.
IMPORTANT FOLLOW-UPS
Q: What’s the deadlines for the absentee ballots?
A: States vary in their deadlines for the Presidential (General) election. Go to https://www.fvap.gov/guide and select the state where you will be sending your ballot. Election Deadlines will be listed there. Election Day this year is November 3.
Q: How do we register? Do we use our prior state registry? Do we get to vote in state or local elections?
A: Fill out the Federal Post Card Application to register and request an absentee ballot at the same time. You will be able to vote for federal office candidates in U.S. primary and general elections. Some states will also allow overseas citizens to vote for state and local office candidates and referendums. Check with your state election officials for tax implications when voting for candidates for state offices.
Q. I sent papers to vote by mail, but is it possible to vote by email and is it possible to vote at the embassy?
A. Many states allow you to vote via email or fax, but not all. Some require you to mail back your ballot. See: https://www.fvap.gov/covid-19 for more information. Embassies and consulates are not polling places. Same-day in-person voting is not available outside the United States.
MORE FOLLOW-UPS (More specific)
Q: I don’t remember in which state I last voted – is there a way to find out? Can someone register without knowing which state to use?
A: Your voting residence is your address in the state in which you lived immediately prior to leaving the United States. This residence is valid even if you no longer own the property or intend to return. Find out more on https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter/voting-residence or write VoteParis@state.gov.
Q.: I don’t remember my last address in the United States. What do I use?
A: If you cannot remember the U.S. address where you last resided, we recommend asking family members and checking old records. Your election office (if you remember the state and county of your last residence) may also be able to help you further.
Q. I am a U.S. citizen registered in the U.S., but living in France for xx years. What should I do to vote in the next election?
A. You can vote using your old U.S. address. Send a new Federal Post Card Application to your county Board of Elections (https://www.fvap.gov/guide) to register and request an absentee ballot at the same time.
Q. I am a U.S. citizen who has never lived in the United States. Can I vote?
A. Some states allow citizens who have never resided in the United States to use a parent’s voting residence as their own. A list of these states is available at https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter/reside.
Q: Do I need to come to a Paris to register? I live in Nantes (or any other French city).
A: Don’t worry. We can help answer all your questions without a trip to Paris! If you are living overseas, you can register online to vote overseas. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application to register and request an absentee ballot at the same time –no need to come to Paris to register. If you need more info, you can write us at VoteParis@state.gov.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY VOTING MATERIALS TO THE EMBASSY BY MAIL. THEY WILL BE OPENED AND RETURNED TO YOU.
